Episode Summary
Xiao Ying begins to recover her memories and questions the Empress Dowager's past crimes, leading the Dowager to decide her daughter must die. In a chaotic confrontation, Xiao Ying passes away, and the Dowager immediately frames the Emperor to turn Xiao Qianqing against him.
Spoiler Alert
The Palace is a Cage
Ling Cangcang hits Xiao Qianqing with some hard truth. She thinks he protects Xiao Ying too much. He never asks his sister what she actually wants. He just assumes she wants safety. Xiao Ying proves Ling Cangcang right. She suddenly remembers her past. She recalls the time she spent outside the palace with her brother. She wants that freedom back.
Du Tingxin hears about this recovery. She panics. If the princess wakes up fully, Du Tingxin is finished. She snaps. She orders her servant to kill the princess immediately. She can't risk exposure. She also thinks about Xiao Huan. He is too smart. Her assassins keep failing. She decides she has to kill the Emperor herself.
The Dowager Loses Control
The Empress Dowager is busy stressing over Xiao Qianqing’s marriage. Du Tingxin interrupts with "calming incense" and bad news. She reveals that Qianqing gave his military command to the Emperor. He wants to retire from politics.
Qianqing doesn't deny it. He hands his mother a stick. He tells her to punish him. The Dowager is furious. She thinks the Liu family is superior to the Emperor. She believes giving up the army means they will all die tomorrow.
Old Wounds Open Up
Qianqing finally fights back. He asks his mother about the fire. He knows she started the blaze that broke his sister's mind. He refuses to be her weapon anymore. He tells her he plans to take Xiao Ying far away once she is well. The Dowager is devastated. Her son is slipping away. Zhong Lin sees Qianqing is upset. He steps in to offer comfort. Qianqing thanks him for standing by his side.
Secrets and Poisons
Xiao Ying sits in the sun with a small sapling. The Dowager visits. She wants her daughter to manipulate Qianqing. She wants that military power back. Xiao Ying ignores the politics. She asks a terrifying question. She asks what her mother fed the Emperor.
The Dowager freezes. She realizes the girl knows too much. She decides her own daughter has to die.
Xiao Ying's memory keeps returning. She remembers Hong Qing. We learn he survived his fall off the cliff. Hunters saved him. Xiao Huan visits to help with treatment. Xiao Ying mentions a medicinal smell she remembers from the past. Xiao Huan connects the dots. He suspects the State Preceptor used poison. He doesn't want to believe it.
Protecting the Weakness
Xiao Huan writes a letter to Ling Cangcang. He promises her a trip to the mountains. This is a lie. He is sending her away for her safety. Du Tingxin has deep roots in the palace. She is about to strike back hard. Ling Cangcang is Xiao Huan's weakness. He needs her out of the line of fire.
Du Tingxin is busy. She brings in the Saintess from the Lingbi Sect. She bribes high officials. She threatens to execute anyone who refuses her money.
A Tragic End
Xiao Huan visits Xiao Ying again. He wants his siblings to be happy. He wants to bury the hatchet. Xiao Ying has a breakdown. She begs for treatment. Xiao Huan agrees. The Dowager bursts in. She refuses to let the Emperor touch her daughter.
Xiao Qianqing arrives just in time to see the worst happen. Xiao Ying dies. It is sudden. The Dowager wastes no time. She accuses Xiao Huan of murder. She screams that the Emperor killed the princess. She wants the brothers to destroy each other. Qianqing looks at the Emperor. He starts to doubt his brother.
Too Late for Goodbyes
Qianqing screams for his sister to wake up. The Dowager keeps pouring poison in his ear. She insists the Emperor is the killer.
Hong Qing finally returns. He is too late. He refuses to believe the princess is gone. The flowers Xiao Ying planted finally bloom. It is a cruel timing. Hong Qing picks up her body. He wants to take her away. Qianqing blocks his path with a sword. Hong Qing doesn't flinch. He is not afraid of death anymore.
